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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful for people of hope, for those who put their life on the line to fight against injustice & corporate greed in North Dakota, those who join to fight against oppressive systems and ideologies, those who are willing to stand by whoever is being bullied, those who carry a meaningful pin … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving!

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Side note: I just read some comments on a, better written, but similar article making this same comparison. I have to admit I'm a bit taken aback by the attempt of some people (Venezuelans or not) to switch the equation comparing Clinton to Chávez and basing some of their argument on the alleged "leftists" ideals … Continue reading Venezuelans and the Trump Déjà Vu

Roy Chaderton, Venezuela’s Ambassador to the OAS, has always been a curious little beast.

A product of Venezuela’s ancien regime, he is one of the few highly-educated diplomats that remained in good standing with Chávez after the Revolution came to power. After the tides turned, many people in top positions turned in their resignations in disgust – Ambassador Milos Alcalay and Justice Cecilia Sosa are two that come to mind.

But not Roy.

Roy shed his old copeyano persona and embraced the revolution with fervor. His ability to re-brand himself as a leftie defender of whatever needs to be defended, along with some obvious skills, brought him close to Chávez. The Comandante quickly named him to top diplomatic posts, including a brief stint as Foreign Minister.

But now, winds have changed again, and so must Roy.

Venezuela’s government is no longer just a left-wing Revolution, but a murderous narco-state headed by thugs. What must a…

In agreeing not to cut oil production quotas in the face of a steep price decline – driving oil prices into the mesosphere – the organization has decided that business as usual … is over. The long-term challenge of shale oil will be confronted head on through a price war, and members will defend their market share. Saudi Arabia, in particular, seemed to be saying to countries that failed to save in good times: “tough.”

The meeting was lapidary for the Revolution’s pretension to continue in its failed model. If $100-per-barrel oil is gone for good, we will need to adapt. We cannot continue living on exploding budget deficits, massive state bureaucracy, enormous subsidies, and restricted imports to sort-of make ends meet. Good luck with that.

I am back in Norway trying hard to understand how things could go so terrible wrong. Since my last post the situation in Venezuela kept getting worse every day. It was after the National Guard had been shooting and throwing gas bombs at my residence I made the decision to leave the country.

As I try to write about what happened (and is still happening) I cannot keep the tears away, I am heartbroken. I have learned to love Venezuela, even with its obvious flaws. I have met people who have touched my heart in ways i cannot describe. I have left a country and it’s people who are desperately fighting for their freedom, democracy and a better future, but at what cost?

Innocent people are being killed, hurt and taken to prison where they are treated with violence and torture. Why? Because they using their right to demonstrate against…

As there is absolutely no way of sleeping tonight, all I can do is write. Write to the world about what is happening in Venezuela right outside our windows as I type these words. It has been a hard night for Venezuela and the uncertainty of tomorrow is what keeps us up. Let me tell you what has been happening the last week here in Venezuela.

I have hardly left my home because there is no way of knowing what will happen out on the street. People are being shot, hurt or captured. For what? For protesting! It all started with the student protest last Wednesday (February 12th #F12). The students were protesting against the government because of insecurity, inflation, the lack of food and the limited freedom of press. These demonstrations happened in all major cities in Venezuela, not just Caracas as the news portrait it. Unfortunately these…

My beloved Venezuela… How can this country, that have taught me so much and shown me so much love, be so incredible messed up? How is it possible to have the experiences of a lifetime in a country that is slowly falling apart? My heart aches for you Venezuela because your people deserve better. Without taking political sides, this is what I see. Do not misunderstand. I truly love the Venezuelan culture and it’s people, but despite the wonderful experiences and new long-lasting friendships… living in Venezuela is exhausting! This is an attempt to explain (from a neutral point of view) to non-Venezuelans what is happening in this country right now.

In an attempt of describing the situation in a balance between ignorance and being paranoid I have to say: I do not feel safe in Venezuela. This does not mean I am inside my house all the time. I…